Whole House Water Filtration System Installation | Instructions + Diagram (2023)

FAQs

How difficult is it to install a whole house water filtration system? ›

It is not overly complex or difficult to install under sink systems. There should be room under kitchen and bathroom sinks to fit an under-sink water system of each type (reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, and ion exchange). You should only need moderate plumbing skills to install under-sink filtration systems.

Installing a whole house filter system could take an experienced plumber two to four hours. If you're installing it yourself, then it may take a little longer depending on your level of experience.

The most effective way to determine if your water filter is working properly is to test your water before and after it passes through your filter. Such analysis is called performance testing because it tests the effectiveness of your filter in reducing or removing potentially harmful contaminants that pass through.

The water should first go through a sediment water filter to reduce sand, dirt, rust, and other sediment. You want to have the water go through a sediment filter first so it does not clog up the carbon filter, which is more expensive. The sediment filter will prolong and protect the carbon filter.

Most areas do not require a permit to install a whole house water filter system but, if in doubt (or if you think the job might be too complex for your skills), hire a professional plumber. If you're up for this DIY project, start by choosing a location that is accessible.

Does water filtration systems increase home value? Research indicates that adding a water softener to your home can increase its equity anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.

If you need chlorine-free water 24/7 for your bathing and washing, a whole house water filter will be worth the investment. But if you just need your shower water to get filtered, a shower filter will also be good enough.

Do I need to boil my tap water if it is filtered? Yes, it is important to boil all tap water even if it has been filtered. Most water filters (activated carbon, charcoal, pitcher filters, etc.) are not suitable for use on microbiologically unsafe water and do not kill bacteria or viruses.

On average, whole house water filters will last for the following lengths of time: Pre-Filter: Three- to Six Months. Carbon Filter: 12 Months. Post-Filter: Up to One Year.

In general, if your water supply contains high levels of chlorine or sediment, then you need to install the water filter first. On the other hand, if your water supply has high levels of magnesium and calcium, then the water softener should be installed first.

Does whole house water filtration go before or after water heater? ›

Connect your filtration system directly to the main supply before your water heater. Most water filtration systems are designed to work with cold water and may be ruined if the system uses water from the heater. Even during cleaning you should never run hot water through the system as it may damage it.

Simply put, backwash filters will need to backwash once there is noticeable pressure loss through the filter – typically once every 1-2 weeks.

And aside from sediment, a carbon water filter that is used beyond its days can collect a build-up of other materials and contaminants. This build-up of contaminants often looks like 'goop' and can even leak into your supply of drinking water.

Run two to four gallons of water through the new filter. This helps prevent your water dispenser from sputtering and clears impurities left over from manufacturing.

Disadvantages of whole house water filtration systems:

May decrease water pressure: The water supply runs through the filter at a certain speed. If you are taking a shower, doing laundry, and running your dishwasher at the same time, you may notice a decrease in water pressure.

Generally, we recommend pleated 50-micron filter cartridges followed by a dual grade 25/1 micron depth filter. For very fine sediment in the range of 1 to 5 microns, we recommend dual-grade depth filters.

The carbon filter is installed prior to the water softener. This extends the life of the softener by removing chlorine prior to the softener and makes for great clean water through out the home.

The main reason to install faucet filters in your home is to have a water filtration system that can remove the lingering contaminants found in faucet water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented standards on the amount of over 90 contaminants found in drinking water.

Hire a Plumber for RO Installation

If you're worried you don't have the right tools, background knowledge, or time to install the reverse osmosis system, we recommend hiring a local plumber. You can save a lot of money by purchasing the Reverse Osmosis System online, and then hiring a plumber to do the install.

It not only aids in preventing rust stains in sinks, tubs, dishwashers, and toilets, but offers softer, brighter and longer lasting clothing. A carbon filter effectively removes chlorine, chloramines, and odor. The outcome is chemical free, clean, fresh drinking water for the whole household.

What should I look for when buying a whole house water filter? ›

A whole-house system will generally cost at least $1,000, while an individual unit could be as little as $150. The best whole-house water filters treat water as soon as it enters a home and are usually larger in size. They can cost from $1,000 to $4,200 or even more.

For an average home, the ideal size of a whole house filter should be 4.5″x 20″. On the other hand, large households may need to install filters with a flow rate of 25gpm and 1 1/2 -inch ports.

It is best to use a point-of-entry filter system (where your water pipe enters your house), or whole-house filter system, for VOCs because they provide safe water for bathing and cleaning, as well as for cooking and drinking.

Typically, a house will have 2 air filters in their intake vents. In some cases, there can be more or fewer depending on the square footage of the home or apartment and the number of floors that need to be supported by the central air system.

Water filters are way more reliable and more powerful at cleaning water. Boiling water will purify water to some extent, but you'll be drinking “dead” water, poor in nutrients and other useful microelements. The only way to ensure the water you drink is beneficial for your health is to use a high-quality water filter.

Filter water vs. bottled water. Although both filtered water and bottled water can provide healthier, better-tasting water, the cost-effectiveness and smaller environmental impact of filtered water beats out bottled water at every turn.

Your filter can break down over time, meaning it will no longer be able to filter out the contaminants in your water. If you don't change this before too long, these harmful chemicals and organisms could end up back inside of your home - which defeats the whole purpose of having a water filter.

Once your filter is replaced, run four gallons of water through the line to properly flush the new filter.

How long will a 5000 gallon water filter last? ›

It's good for up to 5,000 gallons. That's about 2-1/2 to 3 years for an average family of four.

Water softeners do not filter water, they only remove calcium and magnesium minerals to address hard water. In order to remove contaminants so water is safer for drinking, cooking, and showering — you'll need to use a water filter even if you already have a water softener installed.

Softened water is very safe to drink. Some people worry about the sodium that is released into the water during the softening process, but these concerns are unnecessary. In general, for every milligram of minerals removed from the water, two milligrams of sodium are released.

A water softener is a whole-house filtration system that removes hardness-causing calcium and magnesium minerals from your water through a process called ion exchange. A water softener addresses one of the most prevalent and devastating water problems: hard water.

Since the filter chamber determines the rate of flow into the pump, there is no need to buy more pump capacity than the filter chamber can process. So the filter chamber comes first.

The ideal setup in terms of the cost and performance perspective is 4 stages: sediment filtration, carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, and the post taste refining filter.

Backwashing reverses the flow of water, lifts up and flushes the sand, and then expels the dirty water via a waste line into the ground or drain. In order to prevent residual blow back into the pool, once you've finished backwashing it's highly advisable to rinse the filter.

As eluded to above, if you backwash your pool pump for too long, it runs the risk of introducing air into the system. Air pockets can cause pumps to lose the constant flow of water that they need to keep working. If this happens to your system after a backwash, you may need to prime your swimming pool pump.

Whether you have a whole-house or commercial water filter or an under-sink filtration system , you need to flush the system for at least five minutes.

They don't fit all faucets and can slow down flow, which can be annoying. Faucet filters typically require you to change filters more often than other carbon filter options.

How do I know if my water filter is working properly? ›

The most effective way to determine if your water filter is working properly is to test your water before and after it passes through your filter. Such analysis is called performance testing because it tests the effectiveness of your filter in reducing or removing potentially harmful contaminants that pass through.

One of the most recurring problems with water filters across all brands is the growth of mold and the constant combat of that. Most mold is harmless but having mold in your drinking water could present serious hazards to your health. And of course, if you're using a water filter, your aim is to prevent that.

It is recommended that you flush your filter after installing a new one. Flushing your filter means to run water through it several times before using the filter for consumption.

If the filter is newly installed or just recently changed, black particles may be noticed in the water. These black particles are fine carbon particles left over from the manufacturing process. To correct: Flushing the system as outlined in the install instructions will eliminate this situation.

When you use your filter for the first time ONLY, run cold water for five minutes. After that, your filter is ready for use whenever you turn on your faucet.

Whole House Water Filtration System Cost Range

Most homeowners pay between $900 – $3,100 for water filtration system installed by a pro. The cost ranges from about $360 for a basic DIY system to more than $3,500 for a professionally installed system with advanced filtration features.

If you're experiencing any of the problems listed above, a whole house water filter is worth it. More than just a water filter for your faucet, these filters help t take hard or problem water and turn it into cleaner, safer water that's better for your entire home and family.

Generally speaking, a whole house water filter is meant to last no longer than 12 months. As long as you understand when to change your filter and signs that it's time to do so, you never have to concern yourself with waiting too long.

On average, whole house water filters will last for the following lengths of time: Pre-Filter: Three- to Six Months. Carbon Filter: 12 Months. Post-Filter: Up to One Year.

Water filtration system installation labor cost

Labor costs to install a water filtration system average $200 to $300 if you plan to hire a pro to do the work. If you are in the market for a whole house water filtration system, you can take the DIY approach, or you can hire a professional to do the work.

How big of a whole house filter do I need? ›

For an average home, the ideal size of a whole house filter should be 4.5″x 20″. On the other hand, large households may need to install filters with a flow rate of 25gpm and 1 1/2 -inch ports.

Whole House Filters

To maintain the best quality and reliability of your whole house water filter, it is recommended that you change it every three to six months. This helps to keep the water free from impurities and contaminants that can be harmful to your health, your home's plumbing system, and your appliances.

Good quality whole house 4.5" x 20" carbon filter cartridges will last 100,000 – 150,000 gallons in normal municipal water supplies.

While all are effective, activated carbon block filters generally remove more contaminants because of their greater surface area.